What just happened?

WTF, America? 

Over half of you voted for Donald Trump, a man guilty of 34 felonies, declared bankruptcy with his six business ventures,  convicted of rape, guilty of fraud, unfaithful to his wives, and a narcissistic racist fascist.

He cannot finish a comprehnsive thought without insulting, belittling somebody or whole groups of people like Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. 

And, he regularly seeks the advice of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, who wants to weaken NATO and destroy western democracies by sowing distrust in democratic institutions by spreading misinformation and interfering in free elections.

You'd rather have a man who has already failed as President in his first term in office.  What he had going for him, apparently, was that he was white and a male.

I'm exasperated. I have no words to express my deep disappointment in the gullibility of the voting majority.

More on the Presidential election later. I need to take a breath and meditate.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a developing story. Check back later for updates. For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.

Harris writes opeds for Asian American news outlets

Donald Trump declined to attend the national APIA town hall where Kamala Harris spoke.

In the hours before election day, Kamala Harris was campaigning all over Pennsylvania while her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is doing the same in Michigan.

According to the polls, Harris and Donald Trump are in a virtual tie lending weight to every vote being cast by a divided nation.

In an unprecedented outreach to the Asian American communities, Vice President Harris outlined her vision for a New Way Forward in op-eds published by major Chinese, Filipino, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese American news outlets.

Harris' message is repeated in the periodicals: “There is so much at stake in this election, and Americans are ready to turn the page on the chaos of the past.," she writes. "You deserve a leader who not only sees you, but stands with you.”

RELATED: Newspaper endorsements

This past week, Harris penned a series of op-eds outlining how her vision for a New Way Forward will deliver for Asian American communities. In the op-eds, Harris underscores the enormous stakes of this election for Asian American voters on key priorities like financial freedom, health care, and safety – and contrasts her plan to build an Opportunity Economy with the dangers of a second Trump term.

To reach this broad coalition of diverse voters where they are, Vice President Harris’ op-eds were published by five major news outlets that serve Chinese, Filipino, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese American communities, including the World Journal, Asian Journal, Yonhap News Agency, The Juggernaut, and Việt Báo Daily News.

In her message to Filipino Americans, she touched on the long history between the US and the Philippines and the economic, cultural and military ties and commitments between the two nations.

"Filipino Americans are also at the heart of our healthcare system. I will protect the Affordable Care Act, which has reduced the uninsured rate among Asian Americans to record lows. President Biden and I worked to lower the price of prescription drugs and cap the cost of insulin at $35 for seniors, and I will go further to reduce costs for all Americans," she wrote. 

"My plan will also strengthen Medicare to cover home care for seniors, easing the financial and emotional burden many Filipino Americans face when caring for their elders. I took care of my mother when she was sick with cancer—I know that caregiving is about dignity."

"During Filipino American History Month, we honor the ways Filipinos and Filipino Americans have helped bring our nation closer to fulfilling the promise of America," she wrote while reminding readers to vote on Nov. 5.

The op-eds, tailored for each community, are part of the historic investments by Team Harris-Walz to engage with and mobilize Asian Americans, who make up the nation’s fastest-growing voting bloc and are poised to play a pivotal role in this election. 

In the final stretch of the presidential race, Team Harris-Walz launched waves of English and in-language mailers and fact sheets; print, radio, television, and digital ads; and hosted in-person events across every battleground state aimed at these critical voters.

For Asian Americans, Harris, Walz and other Democratic stalwarts like Sen. Tammy Baldwin, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, met with Filipinos in Nevada, Sikhs in Michigan, Hindus in North Carolina, South Asians in Georgia, Hmong in Minnesota and took time to celebrate Diwali.

FYI: Read the op-eds below:

• Asian Journal: Freedom, Opportunity, and a New Way Forward for Filipino American Families

• The Juggernaut: Charting a New Way Forward for South Asian Americans

• Việt Báo Daily News: Cùng Nhau Tranh Đấu Cho Quyền Tự Do | Together, We Can Fight for Our Freedoms

• World Journal: 為美國華人創造安全與繁榮的未來 | Creating a Safe and Prosperous Future for Chinese Americans 

• Yonhap News Agency: 함께 전진합시다: 재미 한인들의 번영하는 미래를 만들기 위하여 | Let’s Go Forward, Together: Creating a Prosperous Future for Generations of Korean Americans

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.

Watching the AAPI vote in Nevada and Georgia

ANALYSIS 

Watch the AAPI voters in Nevada, Georgia and elsewhere to determine the influence of these politically engaged communities.

If the polls are to be believed (and there is plenty of reasons to doubt their methodology as it relates to the modern voter) the Presidential contest is a virtual tie.

Even though millions of voters have all ready cast their ballots, the bulk of voters will be voting Tuesday, Nov. 5. They enjoy the act of going to a polling place and marking their ballots and then dropping their ballot in the ballot box.

Unfortunately, in some states, especially in the Red states whose legislators have tried to make voting more burdensome and difficult. Expect long lines late into the night. There might even be harassment, typical of bullies, most of whom appear to be Trump supporters. Not only do they harangue or mislead people standing in line, they have also been threatening poll workers.

Regarding the AAPI electorate, from NPR:

"If Latinos are the largest-growing demographic group, Asian Americans are the fastest. And since 2008, they have voted overwhelmingly for Democrats. They could have the biggest impact in Nevada, where they are more than 9% of the eligible-voter population. They were 5% of the electorate in the state in 2020 and went for Biden by a 64%-35% margin.

"They could also be crucial in places like Georgia. The AAPI population in the state has grown by more than 50% since 2010. While only about 3% of eligible voters in Georgia, there were more than 45,000 first-time AAPI voters in the state in 2020. They voted about 58% for Democrats, a margin of more than 7,000 votes in Democrats’ favor — just from first-time AAPI voters, almost the margin that decided the state."

RELATED: Endorsing Kamala Harris

In another article, an NPR analysis reports:

University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock has a rule of thumb that for Democrats to win Georgia: they have to capture 30% of white voters and Black voters have to comprise 30% of the voters who cast ballots. But Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie says that rule may need a slight update, as Asian Americans and Latinos become a larger share of the electorate.

Judy Zhu is voting in her first presidential election, after casting her first ballot in the 2022 midterms once she became a US citizen. Like many new voters, she has been taking her vote very seriously, watching debates and researching the platforms of the candidates and political parties.

Zhu says she has friends in their community across the political spectrum, from strong Trump or Harris supporters to undecided voters and those who are just plain fed up. For Zhu, the economy, health care and democracy are driving her vote.

“I think I have definitely changed my mind a couple of times before I finally decided who to vote for,” Zhu says. While she did not want to share publicly who she landed on, she did say her and her husband did not vote for the same presidential candidate.

"Desi" is a term Indian Americans use to describe themselves.

Georgia's South Asians

Georgia’s AAPI population grew by 48% between 2012 and 2022, according to the nonprofit Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta. Indian Americans, Korean Americans and Chinese Americans comprise the largest AAPI communities in Georgia.

South Asians are one of the most progressive Asian American communities. A shift  towards the Democrats dates back to 9/11 and the policies and racial animus that followed. A recent Pew Research Center study found that 68 percent of Indian registered voters identify as Democrats or Democratic-leaning.

The rapidly growing AAPI population is made up by a large group of recent immigrants who identify more with their home countries and haven't wholly bought into the umbrella coaition of Asian America, therefore more open to arguments from both parties. The AAPI voter turnout rate in Georgia has lagged behind White and Black voters, but participation is increasing.

But no one can deny the excitement among South Asians over Harris' candidacy. Indian Americans saw the highest voter turnout among Asian Americans in the last two presidential elections, compared with white voters, according to research firm AAPI Data, an organisation that collects data about Asian American communities. In 2020, 71% of Indian Americans that were eligible to vote did, a 9% increase from 2016.

That trend looks set to continue into November, according to Karthick Ramakrishnan, co-founder of AAPI Data, who told the BBC he believes Harris's candidacy could boost South Asian voter turnout to 75% among eligible voters.

“While having the first ever person of South Asian origin as vice-president of the United States was important to many South Asian voters, it’s a much bigger deal to have someone from one’s background in the highest office in the land,” he told the BBC.

As a former refugee who came to the US from Cambodia in 1980, Tha Vin says the language some Republicans, including Trump, are using to describe immigrants is shaping his vote.

Tha Vin says this election felt so important, he gathered his whole family to go to the polls together.

“I’m a gun owner, like I find I want to vote Republican,” says ThaVin, who came to the US from Cambodia in 1980.. “But the rhetoric toward immigrants has been something that has made me not want to vote Republican.”

According to AAJA, the AAPI turnout rate increased by 7% between 2018 and 2022 midterm elections.

"Pinoy" is a term Filipinos use to describe themselves.

Nevada's Filipino voters

In Nevada, the contest is so close it is difficult to conclude which way the state's voters will lean Tuesday. Asian American voters have been targeted by both parties with specific events aimed at this demographic, especially Filipino American, who represent the largest group iamong Asian American communities.

The Asian American population in the Silver State represents nearly 12% of the electorate, and over 109,000 Filipino Americans are eligible voters, solidifying their importance in a state often decided by narrow margins, writes the Asian Journal, a Filipino American publication.

Despite inroads by the Repubican Party,which belatedly began wooing the Asian electorate including a recent rally featuring Trump, a survey by AAPI Data, over two-thirds of Filipino American voters will be casting their ballots for Harris.

Both candidates promise no taxes on tips resonates with the AAPI workers, many of whom work in the hotel and service industry. 

Surveys show Harris’s focus on health care resonates with Filipino Americans in Nevada, many of whom work in healthcare roles, writes the Asian Journal. The Democrats also emphasizes preserving Social Security and enhancing senior care—issues that matter greatly to Filipino American families in multi-generational households and provide care (with no economic benefits) for their elderly relatives.

On the eve of voting day, the Harris campaign released a series of opeds for ethnic publications aimed at various Asian American communities, including the Asian Journal, whose readership is mostly Filpino.

The op-eds build on record-breaking investments by Team Harris-Walz to engage with and mobilize Asian Americans, who make up the nation’s fastest-growing voting bloc and are poised to play a pivotal role in this election.

“There is so much at stake in this election, and Americans are ready to turn the page on the chaos of the past.\," writes Harris. "You deserve a leader who not only sees you, but stands with you.”

In the final stretch of the presidential race, Team Harris-Walz launched waves of English and in-language mailers and fact sheets translated into several Asian languages; print, radio, television, and digital ads; and hosted in-person events across every battleground state aimed at these critical voters.

“In the Filipino community, you get one person, then they tell their whole family. People are filling out their voter cards, and they’re sharing it with all their cousins and their aunties on WhatsApp,” said Assemblywoman Erica Mosca, a Filipino American and senior adviser to the Harris campaign in Nevada as reported by NBC. “When we’re motivated, we will vote.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.

The choice for President has never been more clear: Vote for Kamala Harris

As someone who used to be on the editorial board of a mediium-sized newspaper, I am surprised at the trend of among the nation's publications to not issue an endorsement for President of the United States.

The decision of the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times to not give a recommendation for President made the news recently. The nonendorsemnt was met with surprise, criticism, resignations of some of journalists and subscription cancellations. 

However, it should not have been a surprise nor should it have been reported as something unusual. The Post and the Times were not alone in not endorsing a preference for President. Many newspapers did not issue an endorsement  as a matter of longstanding policy. However, others joined a growing trend among periodicals to avoid the appearance of partisanship, according to a surve by according to a survey by Semafor.

FYI: See what publications have given or not given an endorsement for President.

Let the facts speak for themselves and let the readers make up their own mind, they rationalize. Or, so they say. 

That reasoning rings hollow because the same publications have no compunction in making recommendations for other elected offices or complicated measures. 

Despite the trend to avoid making a recommendation, it was still a disappointment to see many respected publications like the Washington Post and L.A. Times because many of those same publications have called this year's election as one of the most important to face the nation in years. It is not, as some jaded critics claim, a chose between Tweedledee and Tweedledumt.

Regular readers of this blog know that the very existance of US democracy based on the Constitution is at stake.

The contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is so stark it seems that it would be easy to make a recommendation that would steer the country in the direction of democracy as put forth in the US Constitution.

Could the newspapers' abandonment of their traditional endorsements be out fear? Might the giant corporations that own the majority of newspapers be hedging their bets in case Trump somehow wins the election and follows through with his threat of punishing "the enemy withinin." He has often put mainstream media at the top of his enemies list.

 There may be another factor for those newspapers not part of corporate chains but owned by billionaires that is less complicated than deciding the fate of the country. It may come down to common greed. Trump's tax laws that favor the top 1% may be a factor in some of the billionaire owners of major newspapers like  Jeff Bezos' Washington Post and Patrick Soon-Shiong's Los Angeles Times, both of which chose to not make an endorsement.

Still, many newspapers, including the august New York Times, the Boston Globe and the San Francisco Chronicle have made recommendations, putting country above profit. Of the newspapers that did give an endorsement, most of them recommended Harris.

For the staid, stuffy New York Times, the choice is a no-brainer:

I've often criticized the NY Times for its coverage of Asian America. But in this instance, we are in agreement. 

There are many reasons Kamala Harris should be our country's new President that have been outlined by experts more knowledgeable than I. Beginning with the economy, giving the right of a woman to decide her own health issues, strengthen the right and ability to vote and she believes in science. 

Harris would become the first US President with an Asian racial heritage, and will widen the image of America beyond the white, male image of what an American is that has been fostered for centuries. This alone is the main reason many people are  supporting Trump, even though his supporters won't say it outright. They don't want to lose their status at the top of the ladder and the social and economic privileges that  position gives them.

The choice for President has never been more important and for that reason, Views From the Edge will break from tradition. It may not matter to anyone what this little blog recommends, but then again, perhaps it will. Every vote counts. Each of us must do what we can, therefore, I recommend a Vote for Kamala Harris.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.

For all the hapa children, there's now a doll that looks like them

Dollmaker Jilly adds Riley, a hapa doll ,to its collection of Asian dolls.

Toy makers are creating more dolls that look like the new diverse America, including dolls of mixed race.

Jilly Bing, the company known for The Jilly Doll and toys celebrating Asian American heritage, expands its collection with today's launch of the Riley Doll, a new character designed to represent mixed Asian and Caucasian backgrounds, sometimes referred to as hapa.

"As the number of Americans identifying as mixed-race Asian grows, The Riley Doll offers children a reflection of their experiences, showing they can be 100% Asian, 100% Caucasian, and 100% themselves," says Jilly Bing founder, Elenor Mak.

"The Riley Doll was created in response to strong consumer demand, as a mixed Asian doll was the top request from the Jilly Bing community."

RELATED: Mattel introduces a new Filipino Barbie.

The market for toys like Riley exists. Over 3.5 million Americans identify as mixed-race Asian, making them the fastest subgroup within the Asian American community, according to the US Census. And, based on Census data, mixed -ace babies are becoming more and more common as people of various racial backgrounds live, work and play together.

The Riley Doll gives a growing number of children a face to match theirs—she's a mirror for millions of children who don't fit into one category and don't want to have to choose between their diverse heritage.

The Riley Doll joins the company's flagship doll Jilly, an Asian American doll which launched in Summer of 2023, and became so popular that she is now sold at Macy's and Toysrus.com.

FYI: The Riley Doll is priced at $68 and available exclusively online at www.jillybing.com. To learn more about Jilly Bing or subscribe to the company newsletter, visit their website.

Riley reflects the spirit of today's diverse generation," states a Jilly press release. "As the daughter of an Asian father and Caucasian mother, Riley is confident, loves outdoor adventures, and enjoys snacks from her favorite Asian grocery store. She proudly chooses a non-traditional topping—sprinkles on her Asian shaved ice—saying, 'My mix, my way,' inspiring kids everywhere to celebrate their unique tastes and embrace individuality.

The Riley Doll furthers Jilly Bing's mission to create lovable Asian American characters that reflect the diversity of today's community—in appearance, backgrounds, interests, and personalities. From adventurous to being bold, these characters resonate across a wide range of experiences. Jilly Bing aims to broaden cultural understanding in a fun, lighthearted way, engaging children of Asian heritage and beyond.

Delving more into the doll's backstory and to give the toy a personality, the press release continues: 

Riley is an adventurous girl of Asian and Caucasian descent. She is full of energy and loves to explore the outdoors, fueled by snacks from her parents' favorite Asian grocery store. Her favorite treat is Asian shaved ice with sprinkles. When Dad grimaces at the nontraditional toppings, Riley says, 'My mix, my way.' When Riley is hiking or playing on the beach, her bucket hat shields her from the sun. But when she needs a buddy, Riley's hat transforms into Chilly Cheeks, her 'cool' Asian shaved ice sidekick, who is always ready to join her on an adventure.

The Riley doll is just the latest example of toymakers trying to expand their customer base by meeting the demand for more diversity beyond predominant White dolls. Several other toymakers are attempting to meet that growing demand, including Mattel, the nation's largest toymaker, which introduced a new Filipino doll two weeks ago.

"For so many of us, growing up meant feeling pressured to choose one side of our heritage," says Mak. "The Riley Doll is here to show kids they don't have to choose—they can celebrate every part of who they are."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.

Harris reaches out to Vietnamese Americns in their own language

Vice President Kamala Harris' oped was on the front page.

In the final few days before the Nov. 5 Presidential Election Day, the Harris-Walz campaign continues to reach out to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voters.

Vice President Kamala Harris penned an op-ed in Việt Báo Daily News outlining how her vision for a New Way Forward will deliver for Vietnamese American communities.  The op-ed is historic in that it is the fifrst time a US Presidential candidate has reached out to the Vietnamese American community in their own language.

"For Vietnamese refugees who came to the United States decades ago, this pursuit was not just an ideal but a lifeline. In the face of tragedy, many of you, your parents, and your grandparents traversed oceans and jungles, traveling by boat and on foot to escape oppression and build new lives here," writes Harris.

It is also significant because anti-communist sentiment still is a strong sentiment Among the Vietnamese American community., Of all the Asian American communities, the Vietnamese are the most likely to vote for Republican candidates. As a relatively young immigrant group, most Vietnamese US residents are first-generation and most from what was South Vietnam, which led the war against their northern brethren backed by the Chinese Communist Party.

"As we approach the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon," Harris continues, "we reflect on the extraordinary journey of the Vietnamese American diaspora, now more than two million strong. Your resilience shines through the thriving communities you have built. Your story is America’s story: a powerful reminder that freedom—tự do—is something we must all cherish and protect."

FYI: In politics, most Asian American voters are more centrist

The oped may have ramfications beyond the presidential race. One of the most contentious Congressional races in the US is in Orange County, which is home to the largest Vietnamese American community outside of Vietnam. The race in Congressional District 45 pits Republican incumbent  Michelle Steel against Democrat Derek Tran.

Steel, a Korean American, is infamous in her red-baiting strategy in an attempt to stir up the anti-communist feelings in the Vietnamese and Korean communities. Her scare tactic worked in 2022 when she running against Navy veteran Jay Chen, a Taiwanese American, but might not be as effective this time around because Tran is a Vietnamese American. Harris' historic outreach effort might tilt some conservative Viet voters towards Tran.

The op-ed appears online and in print, in both Vietnamese and English and began on Viet Bao's front page before jumping to an inside page.

In the op-ed, Harris writes about the fight to preserve America as a land of freedom and underscores the enormous stakes of this election for Vietnamese American voters on the economy, health care, and public safety – while contrasting her plans with the dangers of a second Trump term.

"In 2021, I became the first sitting vice president to visit Vietnam and reaffirmed our commitment to its security in the face of the People’s Republic of China’s aggression.," she concludes. "At the same time, I raised the issue of human rights and will never shy away from difficult conversations. And while Trump cozied up to tyrants and dictators, I will never waver in defense of America’s security and ideals—because in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs.

Below is the complete op-ed in Vietnamese followed by the English translation.

Cùng Nhau Tranh Đấu Cho Quyền Tự Do

Phó Tổng Thống Kamala Harris

Ở đất nước Hoa Kỳ, tự do vẫn luôn là ánh sáng soi đường cho mọi người dân. Riêng với cộng đồng người Việt tỵ nạn đến Hoa Kỳ cách đây khoảng 50 năm, mục tiêu theo đuổi này không chỉ là lý tưởng sống mà còn là một cứu cánh, một đường dây sinh tồn. Đối mặt với thảm kịch của biết bao nhiêu người, trong số đó có bản thân các bạn, cha mẹ và ông bà của các bạn, những người đã phải vượt qua đại dương, băng qua rừng rậm, lúc bằng thuyền, khi bằng đường bộ để thoát khỏi chế độ áp bức và xây dựng một cuộc sống mới trên đất nước này.

Nhân khi chúng ta sắp tưởng niệm 50 năm ngày Sài Gòn thất thủ, hãy cùng nhau suy ngẫm về hành trình phi thường của cộng đồng của các bạn, cộng đồng người Mỹ gốc Việt hải ngoại, hiện đã có hơn hai triệu người. Khả năng phục hồi của các bạn đang tỏa sáng qua những thành công của cộng đồng mà các bạn đã xây dựng được. Câu chuyện của các bạn chính là câu chuyện của nước Mỹ. Từ câu chuyện này, mỗi chúng ta đều phải ý thức được, và đều phải nhớ rằng: tự do là điều mà tất cả chúng ta phải hết sức trân trọng và bảo vệ.

Mẹ của tôi chỉ mới 19 tuổi khi bà một mình vượt băng qua thế giới, đi từ Ấn Độ đến tiểu bang California với một ước mơ không hề lay chuyển là được trở thành một nhà khoa học chữa lành bệnh ung thư ngực. Mẹ tôi đã dạy tôi một điều là không bao giờ phàn nàn về sự bất công, mà hãy tự mình hành động, hãy tự làm một việc gì đó để giải quyết cho sự bất công này. Vì vậy, từ khi còn trẻ, tôi đã có một ý muốn rất nhất định rằng tôi phải làm một công việc gì đó mà có thể bảo vệ được người dân, và đó chính là câu chuyện về toàn bộ sự nghiệp của tôi. Trước đây, khi là một công tố viên tại tòa án, tôi đứng lên bảo vệ phụ nữ và trẻ em; chống lại những kẻ săn mồi. Khi là Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp ở tiểu bang California, tôi đã tiếp quản các ngân hàng lớn và trao trả 20 tỷ đô la lại cho những gia đình đã phải đối mặt với việc bị tịch biên nhà, bị tịch thu tài sản thế chấp. Suốt mấy năm nay, là phó tổng thống Hoa Kỳ, tôi đã và đang tích cực bảo vệ những người lao động và những người cao niên. Và vào thời điểm này, vì tôi biết rằng mỗi người dân Mỹ đều muốn có một nhà lãnh đạo tranh đấu cho dân và vì dân và vì tôi tin mọi người dân Mỹ đều rất xứng đáng có một nhà lãnh đạo biết bảo vệ dân chúng của mình, chính vì thế nên tôi mới tham gia tranh cử vào chức vụ Tổng Thống của nước Mỹ.

Cuộc tranh cử này nói lên hai tầm nhìn rất khác nhau đối với đất nước chúng ta: một là tập trung hướng về tương lai, còn một là tập trung nhìn về quá khứ. Tôi, đại diện cho một thế hệ lãnh đạo mới đầy lạc quan với một Con Đường Mới Tiến Tới Phía Trước — một con đường bảo đảm rằng chúng ta không phải sẽ sống một cuộc sống chỉ để vượt qua, để tồn tại mà sẽ còn được sống một cuộc sống tiến về phía trước, đầy sự phát triển.

Tôi lớn lên trong một gia đình trung lưu, tôi đã tận mắt biết những khó khăn mà các gia đình lao động luôn phải đối mặt. Tôi vẫn còn nhớ mẹ tôi đã phải làm việc suốt ngày đêm để làm cho xong mọi công việc, mẹ chuẩn bị bữa ăn trưa cho chúng tôi mang theo, trước khi tôi và em gái tôi, Maya thức dậy, mẹ thanh toán cho xong các hóa đơn sau khi chúng tôi đã đi ngủ. Với tư cách là tổng thống, tôi sẽ xây dựng một Nền Kinh Tế Tạo Nên Cơ Hội nơi mà mọi người dân Mỹ đều có cơ hội sở hữu một ngôi nhà, tạo dựng một đời sống sung túc, và khởi nghiệp vững vàng.

Kế hoạch của tôi là sẽ cắt giảm thuế cho 100 triệu người Mỹ, hạ thấp giá cả các nhu yếu phẩm, thực phẩm, hàng tạp hóa. Giải quyết đồng thời tình trạng thiếu nhà ở bằng cách xây dựng ba triệu ngôi nhà mới và tiếp quản những chủ công ty đang mua bất động sản một cách không công bằng và đang tăng giá thuê nhà. Tôi nhớ mẹ tôi đã phải để dành tiền trong hơn 10 năm mới mua được ngôi nhà đầu tiên cho gia đình. Cuối cùng thì ngày vui ấy cũng đã đến, lúc đó, dù tôi hãy còn là một cô gái nhỏ, tôi vẫn còn nhớ mẹ tôi, bà đã rất sung sướng đến thế nào. Vì thế, tôi muốn người dân Mỹ sẽ đạt được ước mơ có một căn nhà, sẽ được bước chân vào cánh cửa của ngôi nhà mình, và sẽ có cảm giác phấn khích, hạnh phúc cũng như mẹ tôi đã từng có được trước đây vậy.

Kế hoạch của tôi là sẽ cắt giảm chi phí khởi nghiệp cho các nhà buôn bán nhỏ, trong đó có cả việc tăng khoản khấu trừ thuế cho các doanh nhân từ 5.000 đô la lên đến 50.000 đô la. Chủ các nhà buôn bán nhỏ vừa là những nhà lãnh đạo dân sự cũng vừa là những nhà lãnh đạo doanh nghiệp. Chủ các doanh nghiệp nhỏ vừa là những cố vấn, vừa là người tuyển dụng tại địa phương; đó là một phần của nền văn hóa cộng đồng của chúng ta, vì thế thành phần này rất xứng đáng được hỗ trợ và bảo vệ về mọi mặt.

Kế hoạch của tôi là sẽ cắt giảm chi phí chăm sóc sức khỏe, nhất là cho những người cao niên, để họ có thể sống hạnh phúc trong tuổi già. Tôi sẽ bảo vệ Đạo Luật Chăm Sóc Sức Khỏe, một chương trình mà nhờ đó nhiều người Mỹ gốc Việt đã có thể tham gia Chương trình Bảo Hiểm với Giá Cả Phải Chăng. Đồng thời, tôi sẽ tăng cường Medicare để chi trả dịch vụ chăm sóc tại nhà cho người lớn tuổi, giảm bớt gánh nặng của công việc chăm sóc giữa các thế hệ trong gia đình. Tôi đã từng chăm sóc mẹ tôi khi bà bị ung thư, và tôi hiểu được sự căng thẳng của công việc chăm sóc người lớn tuổi, bệnh hoạn trong gia đình.

Tôi sẽ đối đầu với tội phạm và bạo lực chống người Mỹ gốc Á. Trong khi ông Donald Trump kích động sự thù hận, căm ghét người Mỹ gốc Á; và đã không bảo vệ chúng ta trong mùa đại dịch thì tôi đã đấu tranh bảo vệ người dân có thể sống một cuộc sống mà không có sự sợ hãi. Là đương kim phó tổng thống Hoa Kỳ, tôi đã phân bổ 15 tỷ đô la cho các sáng kiến thực thi pháp luật và an toàn công cộng tại các địa phương, đồng thời ban hành luật chống tội phạm thù hận. Người tị nạn Việt Nam, hơn ai hết, nên biết tầm quan trọng của những vấn đề này. Vào những năm cuối của thập niên 70 và những năm đầu của thập niên 80, ngư dân Việt Nam ở Vịnh Mễ Tê Cơ Texas đã phải đối mặt với sự chống đối quyết liệt từ Ku Klux Klan, những người này đã đe dọa ngư dân Việt Nam, khủng bố họ xua đuổi họ ra khỏi bờ vịnh này. Đất nước chúng ta phải học hỏi không chỉ từ những khoảnh khắc đẹp nhất mà còn từ những khoảnh khắc đen tối nhất để đảm bảo rằng những khoảnh khắc đen tối sẽ không bao giờ bị lập lại.

Chúng ta cũng cần chỉnh lại hệ thống di dân hợp pháp đã có những sai lầm trước đây. Tôi sẽ ký dự luật an ninh biên giới lưỡng đảng mà ông Trump đã phá hoại chỉ vì lợi ích chính trị cá nhân của ông, cho nên thay vì sửa chữa ông ta thích để yên những vấn đề này để ông có đề tài mà nói. Thật sự là tôi bác bỏ một sự lựa chọn sai lầm giữa hai công việc, một là bảo vệ biên giới của chúng ta và một là tạo ra hệ thống nhập cư an toàn, trật tự và nhân đạo. Tôi không nghĩ chúng ta phải có một lựa chọn mà thay vào đó chúng ta có thể và sẽ phải thực hiện cả hai.

Kết quả trong kỳ bầu cử này có tầm quan trọng rất lớn. Ông Donald Trump và các đồng minh của ông sẽ cắt giảm tiền Social Security và Medicare, tước bỏ các biện pháp bảo vệ chăm sóc sức khỏe bằng cách chấm dứt chương trình Đạo Luật Chăm Sóc Sức Khỏe, mà không có kế hoạch thay thế. Ông Donald Trump sẽ áp đặt cái mà tôi gọi là "thuế bán hàng Trump", với ý định đánh thuế ít nhất là 20 phần trăm trên các mặt hàng nhu yếu phẩm hằng ngày; các nhà kinh tế đã ước tính ý định hành động này của ông Trump sẽ khiến một người trung bình phải trả thêm hơn 4.000 đô la mỗi năm. Các chính sách của ông Trump sẽ gây ra suy thoái vào giữa năm 2025 và đẩy lạm phát lên cao.

Bây giờ, chúng ta hãy xác định rõ rằng: Ông Trump là một người đàn ông không đứng đắn, hậu quả của việc ông ta quay trở lại Toà Bạch Ốc là vô cùng nghiêm trọng. Ông Trump đã đe dọa sẽ trở thành một nhà độc tài "ngay từ ngày đầu tiên" — ông ta cũng nói về việc chấm dứt Hiến Pháp và sử dụng quân đội để áp bức và chống lại người Mỹ. Các quan chức an ninh quốc gia của chính ông ta cảnh báo rằng ông ta mất thăng bằng và không ổn định về tâm thần; và ông ta muốn quyền lực không bị kiểm soát. Vì thế, hãy nghĩ đến những gì ông ta định làm nếu chúng ta trao lại quyền lực cho ông ta, đặc biệt là sau khi Tòa Án Tối Cao Hoa Kỳ phán quyết rằng ông ta sẽ được miễn truy tố hình sự. Ông ta sẽ sử dụng quyền lực của Tổng Thống không phải để cải thiện cuộc sống của mọi người dân, cũng không phải để củng cố đất nước chúng ta, mà chỉ để phục vụ cho chính ông ta.

Chúng ta không thể để điều này xảy ra. Và tôi xin hứa, tôi sẽ đấu tranh và bảo vệ cho quyền tự do cùng sự lãnh đạo trên toàn cầu của đất nước Hoa Kỳ.

Tôi đã đi tới 21 quốc gia và đã gặp gỡ hơn 150 nhà lãnh đạo thế giới để thúc đẩy các lợi ích của nước Mỹ. Năm 2021, tôi đã là Phó Tổng Thống đương nhiệm đầu tiên của chính phủ Mỹ đến thăm Việt Nam và tái khẳng định cam kết của chúng ta về sự an ninh của Việt Nam đối với sự xâm lược của Trung Cộng. Đồng thời, tôi cũng đã nêu lên và nhấn mạnh về vấn đề bảo vệ nhân quyền của người dân sống trong nước Việt Nam và sẽ không bao giờ né tránh những cuộc đối thoại khó khăn. Trong khi ông Trump thân thiện với những tên bạo chúa và những kẻ độc tài, thì tôi sẽ không bao giờ do dự hay dao động trong việc bảo vệ an ninh và những lý tưởng khác của nước Mỹ - Bởi vì tôi biết mình đứng ở đâu và tôi biết Hoa Kỳ thuộc về đâu trong cuộc đấu tranh dai dẳng giữa dân chủ và chuyên chế.

Tôi luôn dành suốt cuộc đời mình để phục vụ chỉ cho một đối tượng: đó là dân chúng Hoa Kỳ, và Hoa Kỳ cũng là đất nước có số lượng người nhập cư Việt Nam đông nhất thế giới. Các bạn xứng đáng có được một nhà lãnh đạo luôn quan tâm đến các bạn và sát cánh cùng các bạn. Chúng ta yêu đất nước của mình, và một trong những hình thức cao nhất của lòng yêu nước là việc đi bầu cử và đấu tranh cho những lý tưởng của chúng ta. Cùng nhau, chúng ta có thể hiện thực hóa lời hứa của nước Mỹ với người dân.

* * *

Together, We Can Fight for Our Freedoms

By Vice President Kamala Harris

In America, freedom has always been our guiding light. For Vietnamese refugees who came to the United States decades ago, this pursuit was not just an ideal but a lifeline. In the face of tragedy, many of you, your parents, and your grandparents traversed oceans and jungles, traveling by boat and on foot to escape oppression and build new lives here.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, we reflect on the extraordinary journey of the Vietnamese American diaspora, now more than two million strong. Your resilience shines through the thriving communities you have built. Your story is America’s story: a powerful reminder that freedom—tự do—is something we must all cherish and protect.

My mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer. She taught me to never complain about injustice, but do something about it. So at a young age, I decided I wanted to do the work of fighting for people, and that has been the story of my entire career. As a courtroom prosecutor, I stood up for women and children against predators. As Attorney General of California, I took on the big banks and delivered $20 billion for families who faced foreclosure. As Vice President, I have stood up for workers and seniors. Now, I am running for president—because I believe Americans want and deserve a leader who will fight for all the American people.

This election is about two very different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other on the past. I represent a new, optimistic generation of leadership and will chart a New Way Forward—one that ensures you can not just get by, but get ahead.

I grew up in a middle class household, and I know firsthand the struggles working families face. I remember my mother working around the clock to make things work, packing lunches before me and my sister Maya woke up, and paying bills after we went to bed. As president, I will build an Opportunity Economy where every American has the opportunity to own a home, to build wealth, to start a business.

I will cut taxes for 100 million Americans, lower costs on necessities like food and groceries, and address the housing shortage by building three million new homes and taking on those corporate landlords who are unfairly buying up properties and increasing rental prices. My mother saved for well over a decade to buy our first home. I was a teenager when that day finally came, and I can remember how excited she was. I want all Americans to get their foot in the door, achieve their dreams of homeownership, and feel that excitement like my mother was able to.

My plan will lower the costs of starting a small business, including by increasing the tax deduction for entrepreneurs from $5,000 to $50,000. Small business owners are civic leaders as much as they are business leaders. They mentor, hire locally, and are part of the cultural fabric of our communities and deserve to be lifted up in every way.

I also have a plan to lower health care costs, especially for people as they age, so they can grow old with dignity. I will defend the Affordable Care Act, which many Vietnamese Americans rely on, and strengthen Medicare to cover in-home care for seniors, easing the strain on families providing intergenerational care. I took care of my mother when she was sick with cancer, and I understand the strain that eldercare can put on families.

I will confront crime and anti-Asian violence. While Donald Trump incited hate and failed to protect us during the pandemic, I have fought for the right to live without fear. As Vice President, I delivered $15 billion to local law enforcement and public safety initiatives, and enacted legislation to combat hate crimes. Vietnamese refugees know the importance of these issues. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Vietnamese fishermen on the Texas Gulf Coast faced violent opposition from the Ku Klux Klan, who tried to drive them out through intimidation and terror. Our nation must learn not only from our best moments, but also from our darkest ones to ensure that they are never repeated.

We also need to fix our broken immigration system. I will sign the bipartisan border security bill that Trump sabotaged for political gain, because he prefers to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem. And I reject the false choice between securing our border and creating a system of immigration that is safe, orderly, and humane. We can and must do both.

This election, the stakes could not be higher. Donald Trump and his allies would cut Social Security and Medicare, and strip away health care protections by ending the Affordable Care Act, with no plan to replace it. He will impose what I call a “Trump sales tax,” intending to put an at least 20 percent tax on everyday necessities, which economists have estimated would cost the average person more than $4,000 more a year. His policies would cause a recession by mid-2025 and drive up inflation.

Now, let’s be clear: Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of him ever getting back into the White House are brutally serious. Trump threatens to be a dictator “on day one”—he speaks of terminating the Constitution and using the military against Americans. His own national security officials warn he is unhinged and unstable, and out for unchecked power. Consider what he intends to do if we give him power again, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled he would be immune from criminal prosecution. He would wield the powers of the presidency not to improve your life, not to strengthen our nation, but to serve himself.

We cannot let this happen. And I promise to fight for our freedoms and global leadership.

I have traveled to 21 countries and met over 150 world leaders to advance America’s interests. In 2021, I became the first sitting vice president to visit Vietnam and reaffirmed our commitment to its security in the face of the People’s Republic of China’s aggression. At the same time, I raised the issue of human rights and will never shy away from difficult conversations. And while Trump cozied up to tyrants and dictators, I will never waver in defense of America’s security and ideals—because in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs.

Throughout my life, I have always served one client: the people. The United States is home to the largest number of Vietnamese immigrants in the world, and you deserve a leader who sees you and stands with you. We love our country, and one of the highest forms of patriotism is to vote and fight for our ideals. Together, we can realize the promise of America.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.

US Coast Guard launches ship named after WWII Filipino American heroine

The US Coast Guard's newest vessel named after Filipino American.

During the final week of Filipino American History Month, the US Coast Guard made history by naming their newest ship after a Filipino hero of World War II.

The Coast Guard commissioned its 57th Fast Response Cutter during a ceremony held at Coast Guard Base Seattle, Oct. 24 and named it after Florence Finch, a Filipino American.

FLORENCE FINCH

"Florence Finch is a true Coast Guard and Filipino hero, and we couldn't be prouder to honor her legacy," said Coast Guard Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, Pacific Area Commander. 

"The cutter is now the only currently active ship in the United States military named after a Filipino American," he said.

(A US Navy destroyer, named after a Filipino American Telesforo Trinidad, a Medal of Honor awardee, is still under construction.)

The USCG cutter's namesake, Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, was a Filipino American and a member of the World War II resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. During the war, she assisted the movement by diverting fuel destined for enemy use, falsifying documents for resistance members to obtain supplies, and using her position to facilitate acts of sabotage. 

FYI: Read more about Florence Finch 

In 1944, she was discovered and arrested, tortured, tried, and sentenced to three years of imprisonment. She remained in captivity until early 1945, when American forces liberated the Philippines.

Finch moved back to the US following the war and joined the Coast Guard Reserves. Finch was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1947 and was also awarded the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Ribbon, the first woman to be so decorated.

During thec ommissioning ceremony, Florence Finch was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, which was presented to Finch’s family by retired Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP). The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by the United States Congress. It was presented to members of Finch's family  in attendance, including the cutter’s sponsor and Mrs. Finch’s daughter, Mrs. Betty Murphy.

The crew of the Florence Finch will primarily operate in the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Columbia River. The Sentinel-class FRC is designed for multiple missions, including search and rescue; fishery patrols; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; and national defense.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.

Every vote counts: AANHPI voters seen as critical by both Dems and GOP

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A scene from the Democrats' "Our America" ad geared towards Asian American voters.

With the Presidential race too close to call and Election Day only a week away, Democrats and Republicans are making every effort to find voters, especially Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island voters. As a result, engagement of AANHPI voters are as high as its ever been.

AANHPI voters could play a major role in determining the outcome in some battleground states, including Michigan, Georgia and Nevada.

Trump and his campaign held his first event in Las Vegas zeroing in on Asian American voters in Nevada with a rally at the UNLV Thomas & Mack Center. The Oct. 24 event included notable Asian American s that included former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is Indian American, and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Samoan American.

Besides the unapologetic use of the racist "China virus" wording when referring to COVID19, the only AANHPI specific comment Trump had to say was to compliment Filipinos' fashion sense.

“[Filipinos] had the most beautiful clothing,” Trump said. “I said, ‘Where the hell do all these people come from?’ And when they told me, that’s why I put that little paragraph in there … you are the greatest people, hardest working, and we’re gonna take care of you. You’re gonna take care of us! What great spirit.” 

He doubled down on his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants even though surveys have found that the AANHPI community prefers finding legal pathways to citizenship for immigrants, some living in the United States for decades.

Michael Kagan, executive director of UNLV’s Immigration Clinic, says that would be a particular threat to Nevada.

FYI: Who are AANHPI voters favoring?

There are nearly 190,000 undocumented immigrants in Nevada, 84% of whom have been in the US for more than five years, according to the Pew Research Center. About 1 in 10 Nevada households include an undocumented immigrant.

Filipinos make up the largest subgroup in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community in Nevada. All together, the AANHIPI make up 12% of the state's voting population, or about 266,000 votes, according to AAPI Data.

Democrats continue their months-long effort in increasing outreach to the AANHPI communities that included town halls with Asian Americans, interviews on AANHPI media and the effective series of ads appearing on all media aimed at the AANHPI communities.

“The choice for Asian American voters in this election couldn’t be clearer. While Trump surrounds himself with loyalists to emulate the dictators he admires and intends to wield unchecked power to serve himself, Vice President Kamala Harris has only ever had one client: the people,” said Harris-Walz 2024 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander spokesperson Andrew Peng.

On Saturday, the Harris-Walz campaign rolled out “Our America,”  its latest television and digital ad targeting Asian American voters in every battleground state. The 30-second ad captures the enormous stakes of this election, highlighting the need to safeguard democracy and protect the fundamental rights of Asian American communities who have too often been vilified, excluded, and marginalized throughout history.

In the final stretch of the presidential race, “Our America” will appear across an array of digital channels like Meta, Snap, YouTube, connected TV, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. Starting this week, the ad will air on more broadcast outlets serving diverse Asian American audiences than ever before, thanks to an expanded television ad buy that bolsters Team Harris-Walz’ already unprecedented investments in AANHPI paid media.

FYI: AANHPI women strongly favor Harris-Walz

Since August, the Harris-Walz campaign has launched waves of ads addressing issues that resonate deeply with Asian American voters, focusing on introducingVice President Harris and her plans to create an Opportunity Economy, protect the Affordable Care Act, and keep Americans safe from violent crime while showing the dangers of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda.

But with Trump’s alarming threats to be a dictator on “day one,” terminate the Constitution, and use the military against the “enemy from within,” the impacts of this election go far beyond policy. “Our America” shows the stark choice that voters face not on a specific issue, but on authoritarianism and Asian Americans’ very right to belong. 

The campaign ad spotlights symbols of American freedom under attack by Trump and his extremist allies, and alludes to moments when Asian Americans were denied their civil rights – such as the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin in Detroit. The ad ends by urging voters to rally around Vice President Harris and defend democracy.

“This November, we have the power to protect our freedoms and elect a president who believes in the aspirations of our communities – and will never view us as ‘other,’” says Peng.

on Sunday, Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz visited Mata Tripta Ji Gurdwara Sahib, a Sikh temple in Plymouth, Michigan to urge the Sikh community to vote for the hopeful, future-focused vision of Vice President Harris and Governor Walz.

Gwen Walz urged members of the Sikh community in Mihcigan to vote.

"Vice President Harris and my husband Tim know full well the many contributions that Sikh Americans have made to our country," said Walz. "It is my honor to be with you today to bring their respect and their greetings — and to celebrate your vibrant community.”

She was joined by US Representatives Debbie Dingell and Pramila Jayapal and Michigan state Representative Ranjeev Puri, the first Sikh American ever elected to the Michigan legislature.

There are more than 220,000 eligible Asian American and Pacific Islander voters in Michigan, making the Sikh community a key electorate to engage with.

Harris-Wawlz spokesperson Peng said: “This November, we have the power to protect our freedoms and elect a president who believes in the aspirations of our communities – and will never view us as ‘other.’”

Asian American Georgians, such as Gwinnett County residents Neetu Kumar and Sujatha Thota, volunteered at a recent phone banking event for supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris. 

AAPI voters are one of Georgia’s fastest-growing voting blocs, and for one of the first times, grassroots organizers  of both major parities are making sure to focus on wooing them. Georgia's AANHPI voters already proved their strength in 2020 when they helped turn the solidly red state into purple by voting for President Biden and propelling two Democrats to the US Senate.

This time around, the GOP has learned its lesson in 2024 has ramped up its outreach to the AANHPI voters. Although most Asian voters overwhelmingly went with the Democrats in the past, there is evidence that the GOP strategy has wooed some AANHPI voters.

There are nearly 239,000 registered voters in Georgia who are of Asian American descent. That’s about 20 times the margin by which President Biden captured the state fin 2020. Indian American voters make up the largest block with over 177,000 eligible voters, according to AAPI Data.

“Our numbers are still small, but we could be the deciding factor in terms of margin of victory,” said James Woo of Asian Americans Advancing Justice in an interview with CNN. . “We always mention that to our community members who see the difference every single vote can make.”

“Team Harris-Walz and Democrats know that Asian American voters are the margin of victory in this election – and we are working to earn every single vote," says Harris-Walz campaign spokesman Peng. "Our campaign has invested historic sums into paid media, hired and deployed dedicated Asian American outreach staff nationally and across the battlegrounds, and we are hosting frequent voter engagement events and activities to mobilize Asian American voters."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.